22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (2024)

How to make your favorite easy Mexican food recipes inspired by your favorite restaurants

By: Adam Kaplan, Editor, AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com

22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (1)

From queso and guac to fajitas and churros, these 22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes are out of this world! There's nothing better than getting in a spicy mood with a little Mexican food. And there's so much more than just tacos to try, too.

Give one of these authentic Mexican restaurant recipes a try for dinner this week, and your whole family will be asking you to make it again and again! They're real crowd-pleasers. There's so much more to try besides Taco Bell and Chipotle.

Of course, we've included some of those Tex-Mex and fast-casual style recipes as well. Whatever food mood you're in, keep scrolling and you'll find what you're looking for!

Get more free copycat recipes!

Watch and Learn: Chipotle is famous for its guacamole. Watch the video below to learn how to make it at home!

Table of Contents

  • Copycat Mexican Restaurant Appetizers
  • Fast Food Mexican Copycat Recipes
  • Mexican Restaurant Main Dishes
  • Mexican Restaurant Dessert Recipes

Copycat Mexican Restaurant Appetizers

It would not be a Mexican meal without guacamole or salsa! The appetizers and starters really set the tone for the rest of the meal. And how could you turn down any of these amazing, zesty dishes?!

Chili's Salsa Recipe Copycat

Everybody can agree that a goodsalsa recipecan make for the perfect appetizer!

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Chipotle Guacamole Copycat

It is surprisingly simple to make guacamole yourself, so try it next time you see avocados for sale at your local grocery store

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Authentic Easy Mexican Rice

Perfectly flavored, this Mexican-style rice is the light side dish that you have been craving.

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The Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Salsa Copycat

Once you see how easy this homemade salsa is, you'll never buy the jarred stuff again!

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Fiesta-Inspired Seven Layer Bean Dip

You will love this seven layer dip recipe so much that you will want to make it again and again.

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Chorizo Cornbread Balls with Chipotle Cream Sauce

Recipes with chorizo are great for adding a little spice to your life. What makes this recipe truly special, however, is the tasty chipotle sauce.

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Qdoba Copycat Queso

This copycat queso is the ultimate cheese for all your chip dipping needs.

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Fast Food Mexican Copycat Recipes

From Taco Bell to Chipotle, some of the fastest, most convenient ways to enjoy your favorite Mexican dishes are with fast food and casual dining. These recipes are the best of the best when it comes to copycat Mexican fast food recipes.

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Copycat

Next time you're tempted to make a Taco Bell run, try making it in your own kitchen instead.

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Chipotle Burrito Bowls

The combination of chicken, corn salsa, guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream is just sensational.

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Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme

Inspired by one of our very favorite Taco Bell drive thru classics!

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Chick-fil-A Copycat Chicken Tortilla Soup

The fresh taste of this homemade soup recipe will leave you wondering why you ever spent big bucks on a lesser version.

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Mexican Restaurant Main Dishes

These recipes are the stars of the show. Whether you're in the mood for something hot and spicy or a dish that's full of subtle, complex flavors, there's a recipe here for you. One bite, and we know you'll be coming back for seconds!

Copycat Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Taco Recipe

Recipes with shredded chicken are packed with extra flavor, and this delicious taco is no exception.

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Copycat Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup

If they ever take it off the menu, you won't have to worry. This copycat recipe can be made any time you want!

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Applebee's Chicken Quesadillas Grande Knockoff

The Applebee's recipe is loaded with gooey cheese, juicy chicken, a Mexican-style salsa, and it even has bacon.

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Homemade Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Enchiladas

Make the perfect enchilada that tastes like it came from your favorite Mexican restaurant.

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Homemade Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad

This delicious Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad is just like the restaurant favorite!

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Restaurant-Style Albondigas Soup

Perfect for those cold days when you feel like a nice and toasty warm soup recipe to lift your spirits.

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Qdoba Steak Marinade Copycat Recipe

If you’re craving something with a uniquely delicious burst of flavor for dinner tonight, give this copycat a try!

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Mexican Restaurant Dessert Recipes

As good as all of these copycat recipes are, it's hard to be satisfied after a meal without a dessert course! Top your favorite Mexican meals off with one of these delicious Mexican restaurant style dessert recipes, and we know you'll be craving more.

Copycat Churro Bites

Justlike your favorite Mexican-inspired dessert, only snack size.

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Copycat Taco Bell Caramel Apple Empanada

Once you take a bite of one of your freshly baked dessert empanadas, you will be hooked.

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Homemade Churros

This sugary sweet treat is an easy dessert recipe you can make with the kids.

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Up Next:

34 Copycat Food Court Favorite Recipes
Did we miss anything? Tell us your go-to homemade Mexican recipe below!

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Read Next17 Discontinued Fast Food Items (And Their Recipes)

22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the four ingredients that feature in many Mexican dishes? ›

10 Essential Ingredients in Mexican Cooking
  • Chilli Peppers. Chillies are indigenous to Mexico and have been an important part of the food for thousands of years. ...
  • Corn. Corn is the main source of grain in Mexican cuisine. ...
  • Tortillas. No Mexican pantry is complete without tortillas. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Limes. ...
  • Herbs. ...
  • Tomatoes.

What is the meaning of Mexican fare? ›

Mexican fare is a melting pot of cuisines. It started with the native foods and flavors of Mexico and then eventually took on culinary influences from Spain, Europe, India, and even China.

What are the 8 most commonly used ingredients in Mexican cuisine? ›

Today's food staples native to the land include corn (maize), turkey, beans, squash, amaranth, chia, avocados, tomatoes, tomatillos, cacao, vanilla, agave, spirulina, sweet potato, cactus, and chili pepper.

What are 3 authentic Mexican foods? ›

Authentic Mexican food and drinks are more than tacos and margaritas. Here are our favorite Mexican recipes—including elote, micheladas, posole and churros. Explore some of the most famous Mexican food (and drinks!) from various regions.

What is the most eaten food in Mexico? ›

Corn as a staple

Corn is the most eaten staple among Mexican consumers. It is the base ingredient of tortillas, a type of slim flatbread and, one of the most representative and widely consumed food products in the country, used for the preparation of tacos, quesadillas, and other dishes.

What is not authentic Mexican food? ›

Check out these seven other Mexican dishes that didn't originate from Mexico.
  • Burritos. Wait, does this mean Los Angeles gets to take credit?! They'll never let us live it down! ...
  • Churro. Mexico, you may want to send China a hand-written 'thank you' letter. ...
  • Tacos al Pastor. ...
  • Salsa. ...
  • Calaveras. ...
  • Rosca de Reyes. ...
  • Fajitas.

What is the most important ingredient in Mexican dishes? ›

Apart from being an essential and precious tribute during the pre-Hispanic era, chili is a necessary element to add flavor and unique features to traditional preparations. Whether fresh, chopped, dry or cooked, it is an omnipresent fruit in the gastronomy of Mexico – Mexican food without chilis is quite unthinkable.

What do you say when leaving a restaurant in Mexico? ›

In dining rooms, it is customary to acknowledge the table next to you as you get up to leave. Mexico City residents say “Buen provecho” or “Provecho” to someone nearby who is still eating; it is the local “Bon appetit” or “Enjoy your meal,” and one of the delights of dining out here.

What is a popular Mexican saying? ›

Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr

Literal meaning: Water you don't have to drink, let it run. Generally, this expression means to mind your own business.

What are 4 Mexican spices? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

What are 4 popular Mexican dishes? ›

filters
  • 1 Nachos81%
  • 2 Burritos80%
  • 3 Fajitas79%
  • 4 Salsa79%
  • 5 Quesadilla79%
  • 6 Guacamole68%
  • 7 Chili con Carne66%
  • 8 Chimichangas65%

What are 5 ingredients used in Mexican cooking? ›

Here are five pantry items that Lopez and Martínez recommend, (plus one you can't buy at the store).
  • Dried chiles. Enlarge this image. ...
  • Masa. Reprinted with permission from Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico by Rick Martínez, © 2022. ...
  • Dried beans. Enlarge this image. ...
  • Rice. ...
  • Dried Mexican oregano.
Nov 1, 2022

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